Previewing Purdue Volleyball in the Stacey Clark Classic

Match 1: Purdue (5-2) vs. Albany (3-6)

• When: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026
• Where: Holloway Gymnasium in West Lafayette, Ind.
• Time: 6 p.m. ET
• Stream: Big Ten-plus
• Radio: Purduesports.com/radio
• Stats: StatBroadcast

Match 2: Albay (3-6) vs. UCF (7-1)

• When: Friday, Sept. 18, 2026
• Where: Holloway Gymnasium in West Lafayette, Ind.
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Stream: Big Ten-plus
• Stats: StatBroadcast

Match 3: Purdue (5-2) vs. UCF (7-1)

• When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026
• Where: Holloway Gymnasium in West Lafayette, Ind.
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Stream: Big Ten-plus
• Radio: Purduesports.com/radio
• Stats: StatBroadcast

What to watch

Kate Hansen on the slide

Head coach Dave Shondell really likes Kate Hansen's ability to play off on foot. We've seen Purdue incorporate the slide much more recently, especially in matches against TCU and SMU. The Boilers had a lot of success with Hansen in that spot against the Mustangs during the Paradise Invitational.

Hansen had her best performance of the season in Sunday's sweep of SMU, piling up 10 kills on 19 attacks, four blocks and two digs. Not only has she been great on the block for the Boilers, but the Clemson transfer has also become an offensive weapon.

Grace Heaney looks like herself

An injury against Creighton was a minor setback for one of Purdue's Preseason National Player of the Year candidates. Heaney has responded in her last three matches and has become a weapon on the opposite side again.

In three matches last week, Heaney acconted for 27 kills, 23 digs and seven blocks. She had 59 attacks and totaled only seven errors for the Boilermakers. The junior also provides Purdue with a great attacker out of the back row. When Heaney is playing well, the Boilermakers are better.

Keeping the brooms out

Purdue has been on a heater since getting swept by TCU on Sept. 6. The Boilermakers have played three matches since, sweeping each of those opponents. The most impressive was the sweep of No. 8 SMU, the most impressive victory of the season for the Boilermakers thus far. They also posted wins over IU Indy and Houston.

Can the Boilermakers keep that rolling this weekend? Purdue has won nine straight sets and would love to make it 15 with victories over Albany and UCF. It would give Shondell's group a lot of confidence entering Big Ten play next week.